Tuesday, 8 January 2013

1981: THE FALL GUY

When I was little, I loved Glen Larson's THE FALL GUY (1981-86) although I never owned a copy of this British annual, published (I'd guess) around 1982. I stumbled across a copy far more recently at a price - as you'll see - that I found hard to resist.

Over the past decade-or-so, I've occasionally dabbled with the odd episode of the show and I was pleasantly surprised to find that it's by no means terrible. It's actually a fun little romp with a welcome sense of humour, albeit one that demands almost zero brain-engagement. And the stunts, which seemed so spectacular at the time, are painfully exposed as usual TV fare or (ironically) clipped wholesale from feature films. And Colt's truck - such an integral part of the viewing experience thirty years ago - is cruelly exposed as being the product of an awful lot of utterly unconvincing studio-bound back projection (DUKES OF HAZZARD: I'm also looking at you with more critical eyes!).

There are, however, some (relatively speaking) standout shows that are particularly worthy of rediscovery:

The feature-length pilot not only boasts superior-to-the-series production standards but also a rare chance to hear the full version of the legendary theme (The Unknown Stuntman), as crooned by star Lee Majors (and - apparently - a key part of Larson's successful pitch to sell the show to the network). But the standout scene comes right at the end: a publicity-generating cameo by Lee's ex, the ever-lovely (and much-missed) Farrah Fawcett. It's brief, but laden with double-meaning and repressed emotion. I think - and I know nothing of any behind-the-scenes shenanigans - she was a bloody good sport to do it.

Season three opened with another pairing with a lovely lady from Major's past: Lindsay (Bionic Woman) Wagner in Devil's Island. The chemistry between the two is unmistakable.

The 1984 (season four) and 1985 (season five) Halloween-themed episodes, October the 31st and (predictably) October the 32nd, both guest-star Elvira (who - amusingly - has the hots for Colt) along with - respectively - David Carradine (actually a bevy of Carradines) and Doug McClure. They're great fun and should become part of anyone Halloween season tradition.

SLOW ROBOT

Welcome to STARLOGGED!
It's a repository, and celebration, of Geek Media (mostly print) from the 'Star Age': that pre-millennial period between, roughly, 1972 (the opening of Marvel UK) and 1999 (the release of The Phantom Menace... and the end of innocence). But, of course, we'll bend the rules when we want to.
I only reproduce long out-of-print items for historical reference. I don't include anything that's currently in-print, is likely to be reprinted or otherwise commercially exploited by the copyright holder.
Comments and contributions are most welcome.